Chemical Compositions of the Essential Oils of Stems,Leaves, and Roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prangos latiloba</Emphasis>

Hydrodistilled volatile oils from crushed dry stems, leaves, and roots of Prangos latiloba Korov. (Umbelliferae) growing wild in Sabzevar (Iran) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Eight compounds constituting 84.72% of stem oil, twelve compounds constituting 95.39% of leaf oil, and nine compounds constituting 88.73% of root oil have been identified. The main components of stem oil were γ-cadinene (30.39%), α-pinene (25.47%), and sabinene (12.55%). The main components of leaf oil were germacrene D (27.79%), α-pinene (17.81%), β-caryophyllene (12.75%), and β-pinene (11.23%). The main components of root oil were spathulenol (29.5%), 1,8-cineol (19.42%), p-cymene (17.03%), and α-bisabolol (15.33%). __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 443–444, September–October, 2005.     

Chemotypical Variability of Leaf Oils in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elephantopus scaber</Emphasis> from 12 Locations in China

The chemical constituents of leaf oils of Elephantopus scaber L. from 12 locations in Southern China, including three provinces and Hong Kong, were investigated using GC/MS. A total of 24 compounds were detected, of which 20 were identified by their mass spectra fragmentation patterns. The major compounds include hexadecanoic acid (8.19–39.22%), octadecadienoic acid (trace - 29.22%), five alkane homologues, i.e., n-tetradecane (1.19–5.26%), n-pentadecane (3.22–12.05%), n-hexadecane (2.38–16.26%), n-heptadecane (2.48–15.32%), and n-octadecane (1.39–9.59%), as well as tetramethylhexadecenol (2.06–4.31%). Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the leaf oils into two groups. Two main chemotypes of leaf oils in E. scaber were thus identified, one rich in hexadecanoic acid and octadecadienoic acid, and the other rich in the five alkane homologues. __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii No. 5, pp. 403–404, September–October, 2005.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis from Iran

The hydrodistilled oils from the aerial parts of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis, which is endemic to Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. (Z)-Ocimenone (32.4%), (E)-ocimenone (20.3%), and cis-pinocarvone (11.4%) were the main components among the 22 constituents characterized in the oil of F. latisecta, representing 87.7% of the total components detected. Twenty-five compounds were identified in the oil of M. insignis, representing 99.0% of the total oil, with octyl acetate (41.1%), β-pinene (30.3%), and α-pinene (23.9%) as the main constituents. The essential oils were examined for their potential antimicrobial activities. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 561–563, November–December, 2006.     

Chemical variation in leaf oils of Pistacia chinensis from five locations in China

Hydrodistilled leaf oils of Pistacia chinensis Bunge from five locations in China were analyzed using GC/MS. A total of 58 compounds was identified in the oils, and a relatively high variation in their contents was found. The major compounds include β-phellandrene (0.54–53.86%), α-pinene (4.74–54.44%), β-pinene (0.49–42.90%), caryophyllene (5.64–20.01%), cis-ocimene (tr−43.93%), eudesmadiene (0–15.06%), and camphene (tr−20.57%). Cluster analysis classified the leaf oils into two chemotypes: one rich in α-pinene and β-pinene, and the other rich in β-phellandrene. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 341–343, July–August, 2006.     

Authenticity control of essential oils containing citronellal and citral by chiral and stable-isotope gas-chromatographic analysis

Enantioselective capillary GC on a Supelco β-DEX 225 column (heptakis(2,3-di-O-acetyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-cyclodextrin SPB 20poly—20% diphenyl, 80% dimethylsiloxane) and isotope-ratio mass spectrometry, coupled online with capillary GC on an HP5 column have been used for origin-specific analysis and authenticity control of essential oils, for example lemon (Citrus limon), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus L.—Ceylon type and Cymbopogon winterianus—Java type), Litsea cubeba, Lippia citriodora, lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), lemon gum (Eucalyptus citriodora), and, especially, precious lemon balm oil (Melissa officinalis L.). Isotope data (δ¹³C_PDB and δ²H_V-SMOW) for citral (neral + geranial) and citronellal from on-line GC–C/Py–IRMS and chiral data for citronellal in these essential oils are reported. The possibility of using these data to determine the origin of these essential oils and to detect adulteration is discussed. Principal-components analysis (PCA) of specific compounds in two essential oils of lemongrass and Litsea cubeba was performed as a practical statistical method for distinguishing between these two types of oil.     

Composition of the essential oil of Geocaryum cynapioides (Guss.) L. Engstrand

Volatile constituents from two fresh samples of the subendemic Geocaryum cynapioides (Guss.) L. Engstrand (Apiaceae) obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty four and one hundred-twenty three constituents identified in the oils accounted for 98.7 % and 98.4 % of the total oils, respectively. The major component of both oils was (E)-β-farnesene (73.3 % and 57.7 %) while the other major contributors were: (E,E)-α-farnesene (4.8 % and 14.6 %) and trans-sesquisabinene hydrate (12.2 % and 3.0 %). The constituents endo-fenchyl acetate, and three sesquiterpene lactones belonging to the selinane (callitrisin) and guaiane (grilactone and jalcaguaianolide) series, with a rather restricted natural occurrence, were present in only one of the samples (4.7 %, trace amount, 0.1 %, 0.5 %, respectively) and completely absent from the other distinguishing so the two samples. A chemotaxonomic discussion of the results is presented.     

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Two Endemic Species from Turkey: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis cilicica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis bilgerana</Emphasis>

Aerial parts of Sideritis cilicica Boiss. & Bal. and Sideritis bilgerana P.H. Davis (Lamiaceae) were hydrodistilled to obtain essential oils that were then analyzed by GC and GC/MS. β-Pinene (39%), α-pinene (28%), and β-phellandrene (20%) were the main components in the oil of S. cilicica, while β-pinene (48%), and α-pinene (32%) were the major constituents in the oil of S. bilgerana. The antimicrobial activities of the oils were evaluated by using the microdilution broth method. Both of the oils showed good inhibitory effects on C. albicans. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 559–561, November–December, 2005.     

Fatty acid composition of two Athamanta turbith subspecies

The fruit oils of Athamanta turbith ssp. hungarica and Athamanta turbith ssp. haynaldii were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether. The fatty acid composition of oils was determined by GC in the methyl ester form. Considering the composition and content of fatty acids, the examined oils were very similar. Petroselinic acid was the principal one (45.6 and 46.2%, respectively), followed by a significant amount of linoleic acid (26.9 and 29.1%, respectively). In both oils, myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, petroselinic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, arachidic, and behenic acid were identified. Lignoceric acid was detected only in A. turbith ssp. hungarica oil. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 319–320, July–August, 2006.     

Chemical composition and physicochemical characteristics of fixed oils from algerian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> seeds

The fatty acids, sterols, and polyphenols from the fixed oils of Nigella sativa seeds originating from four locations were determined. The seeds contained respectively 30.63–34.27% and 25.66–32.77% of fixed oils using hexane and isopropyl alcohol in solvent extraction. Linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids formed the main proportion using the two solvents, respectively: hexane 54.47–61.28%, isopropanol 56.98–67.30%; hexane 19.62–22.94%, isopropanol 18.85–21.96%, and hexane 11.17–13.60%, isopropanol 9.20–14.18%. Other minor unsaturated fatty acids were identified. Eight phytosterols were isolated and identified in the fixed oils by GC and GC/MS analysis, wherein β-sitosterol was the dominating compound that inhibits the absorption of dietary cholesterol, followed by stigmasterol, campesterol, and Δ⁵-avenasterol.     

Essential oil variation of Salvia officinalis aerial parts during its phenological cycle

In this paper the variation in the quantity and quality of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis during its life cycle stages is reported. The oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of air-dried samples. The yield of essential oil (w/w %) in different stages was in the order: floral budding (0.9%) > vegetative (0.7%) > flowering (0.5%) > immature fruit (0.4%) > ripen fruit (0.2%). The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In total, 36, 41, 40, 38, and 41 constituents were identified and quantified in the subsequent stages, respectively. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the main group of compounds in the fruiting set (56.9%), vegetative (48.5%), flowering (47.7%), and floral budding (45.3%) stage. 1,8-cineole as one of the major constituents of all samples was lower in the vegetative stage and gradually increased in subsequent harvesting times to reach a maximum in flowering and then decreased in the fruiting set. In contrast, the globulol content was higher in the first stage and decreased drastically during fruit maturation. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 16–19, January–February, 2006.     

Volatile constituents of flowers and leaves of Anthemis hyalina

The chemical composition of the essential oils of the flowers and leaves of Anthemis hyalina were analyzed by GC and GC-MS for the first time. The oils were found to contain seventy-two components. cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate (14.9% and 17.8%), camphor (11.6% and 1.7%), terpinen-4-ol (8.3% and 1.2%), germacrene-D (5.1% and 2.1%), β-caryophyllene (4.1% and 5.4%), myrcene (3.6% and 16.9%), bicyclogermacrene (3.5% and 0.9%), α-pinene (2.3% and 4.1%), cis-β-ocimene (2.1% and 4.3%) and isospathulenol (0.4% and 4.3%) were found to be the major constituents of the oils of flowers and leaves respectively. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 428–429, September–October, 2006.     

Polysaccharides of Fabaceae. VI. Galactomannans from seeds of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus alpinus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. tibetanus</Emphasis>

Galactomannans with galactose:mannose ratios 1:1.48 and 1:1.33, [α]_D +67.9 and +76.4°, [η] 870.3 and 1337.1 mL/g, and molecular weights 999 and 1549 kDa, respectively, were isolated in 0.59 and 4.65% yields (of seed mass) from seeds of Astragalus alpinus and A. tibetanus (Fabaceae). Physicochemical methods (CrO₃ oxidation; methylation–GC/MS; IR, NMR, and ¹³C spectroscopy) found that the main polysaccharide chain consisted of 1,4-β-D-mannopyranose units substituted 67.5% (A. alpinus) and 75.2% (A. tibetanus) at the C-6 position by single α -D-galactopyranose units. The contents of mannobiose blocks Man–Man, (Gal)Man–Man/Man–Man(Gal), and (Gal)Man–Man(Gal) variously substituted with galactose were according to ¹³C NMR spectroscopy 15.9, 55.5, and 28.6% in A. alpinus galactomannan and 9.9, 42.3, and 47.8% in A. tibetanus galactomannan.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium elegans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium caroides</Emphasis>

Analyses of the essential oils of Bunium elegans (Fenzl) Freyn and B. caroides (Boiss.) Hausskn. ex Bornm., using GC, GC/MS, and¹³ C-NMR spectroscopy resulted in identification of their chemical constituents. The oils of both species contain mainly the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons germacrene-D and E-caryophyllene, which amounted to 24.1% and 38% for B. elegans and 22.1% and 26.6% for B. caroides respectively. The oil of B. caroides contained the monoterpenes α-pinene and Z-β-ocimene in 4.1 and 5.9% respectively, while traces of monoterpenes were detected for B. elegans. On the other hand, in B. caroides the phenylpropanoid derivatives asaricin (7.5%) and dillapiole (10.2%) were among the major constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 335–336, July–August, 2005.     

Fatty acid composition of some Astragalus species from Turkey

In this study, the fatty acid contents of some Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) species from Turkey were determined by GC and GC-MS techniques. The seed oils of Astragalus sp. (A. echinops Aucher ex. Boiss., A. subrobustos Boriss., A. jodostachys, Boiss. & Buhse., A. falcatus Lam., A. fraxinifolius DC.) contained linolenic (between 23–41.%), linoleic (23–37%), and oleic acids (8–19%) as the major components. Fatty acid composition of the studied Astragalus taxa showed uniform fatty acid patterns. Palmitic and stearic acids were the major saturated fatty acids in the seed oils. The amounts of unsaturated fatty acids were higher than saturated fatty acids. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 526–528, November–December, 2006.     

Study of the essential oil composition of Pinus sylvestris from Turkey

The needle oils of Pinus sylvestris L. were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The results showed some qualitative and quantitative variations. Forty-three components were identified in the oils of P. sylvestris. All the samples of essential oils contained α-pinene, camphene, and β-pinene as major constituents. Chemical variations of P. sylvestris samples were discussed. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 22–25, January–February, 2006.     

Chemical variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia herba-alba</Emphasis> Asso essential oils from East Morocco

Chemical compositions of 16 Artemisia herba-alba oil samples harvested in eight East Moroccan locations were investigated by GC and GC/MS. Chemical variability of the A. herba-alba oils is also discussed using statistical analysis. Detailed analysis of the essential oils led to the identification of 52 components amounting to 80.5–98.6 % of the total oil. The investigated chemical compositions showed significant qualitative and quantitative differences. According to their major components (camphor, chrysanthenone, and α- and β-thujone), three main groups of essential oils were found. This study also found regional specificity of the major components.     

New oligomeric proanthocyanidin glycosides platanoside-A and platanoside-B from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus orientalis</Emphasis> trunk bark

Two new oligomeric proanthocyanidin glycosides were isolated from trunk bark of Platanus orientalis. Their structures and relative configurations were found to be 7-O-β-D-Glcp-(–)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (platanoside-A) and 7-O-β-D-Glc \textp\xrightarrow6 {\text{p}}\xrightarrow{6} galloyl-(+)-catechin-3-O-gallate(4α-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4β-8)-(–)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate-(4β-8)-5-O-β-D-Glcp-(–)epicatechin-3-O-gallate (platanoside-B).     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii

The chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from two Turkish endemic species, Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii, were investigated. Hydrodistillation was used to isolate the essential oils, and the chemical analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the microdilution technique against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis. δ-3-Carene (3.39%) and p-cymene (3.38%) were identified as major components in P. platychlaena, and α-pinene (40.82%), nonene (17.03%), β-phellandrene (11.14%), δ-3-carene (7.39%), and p-cymene (4.90%) in P. uechtritzii. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 139–140, March–April, 2006.     

Cloud-point extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of carbamate insecticide residues in fruits

A cloud-point extraction (CPE) method using Triton X-114 non-ionic surfactant was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of carbamate insecticide residues (i.e., methomyl, propoxur, carbofuran, carbaryl, isoprocarb, and promecarb) in fruit samples. The optimum conditions of CPE were 1.5% (w/v) Triton X-114, 7.0% (w/v) NaCl and 20 min equilibrated at 45 °C. The surfactant-rich phase was then analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 270 nm, under gradient separation using methanol and 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid. Under the study conditions, six carbamate insecticides were successfully separated within 27 min. Good reproducibility was obtained with the relative standard deviation of <3% for retention time and <9% for peak area. Limits of detection in the studied fruit samples were in the range of 0.1–1.0 mg kg⁻¹. No carbamate insecticides were detected in the studied fruit samples. The high recoveries of the spiked fruit samples were obtained in the range 80.0–107%. The CPE method has been shown to be a potential useful methodology for the preconcentration of the target analytes, with a preconcentration factor of 14. Moreover, the method is simple, has high sensitivity, consumes much less solvent than traditional methods, and is environmental friendly.     

Comparative analysis of essential oil composition from flower and leaf of Magnolia kwangsiensis Figlar & Noot.

The essential oils from Magnolia kwangsiensis Figlar & Noot. were obtained using hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC and GC–MS. A total of 31, 27 and 26 constituents were identified in the oils from male flower, female flower and leaf of M. kwangsiensis, and they comprised 99.2, 98.5 and 96.2% of the oils, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons predominated in the oils and accounted for 48.3% of male flower oil, 54.0% of female flower oil and 44.6% of leaf oil. The compositions of flower oils were quite similar but with different content, and were different from those of leaf oil.